Scientists: Key to aging deep inside brain

Blocking protein in hypothalamus helps mice live longer, could lead to new drugs

Published: 05/02/2013 at 11:22 PM

(Times of Israel) A group of American scientists believe they have unlocked the key to the aging process, hidden deep inside the brain.

The team from Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine say that they were able to extend the lives of mice by up to 20% by teasing a small part of the brain known as the hypothalamus.

The researchers, who published their finding in the journal Nature on Wednesday, also found that they were able to keep the mice from suffering the debilitating effects of age, such as muscle weakness and memory problems.